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 POST-SURGERY INFORMATION: ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY
Patient Name ___________________________________
Surgery Date ________________________
Once your surgery is completed, you must follow all the instructions given to you in order to heal properly and have
good outcomes.
The following instructions are your obligation. Use this as a checklist of progress as you heal. Included are normal
post-surgical experiences and key health considerations that may be a cause of concern.
TYPICAL POST-OPERATIVE SYMPTOMS
Typical symptoms experienced after abdominoplasty and signs to watch for following abdominal surgery include the
following:
1. Tightness/heaviness in the abdomen and/or stiffness; tingling, burning or intermittent shooting pain: These
are normal experiences as the skin, muscles, tissue and sensory nerves heal. Pain medication and muscle relaxants
will help you cope with any discomfort. If you have drains, you may experience additional localized discomfort.
Consistent sharp pain should be reported to our office immediately.
2. Shiny skin or any itchy feeling: Swelling can cause the abdomen to appear shiny. As the healing process
advances, you may also find a mild to severe itchy feeling of the incisions. An antihistamine, such as Benadryl, can
help to alleviate severe, constant itchiness. If the skin becomes red and hot to the touch, contact our office
immediately.
3. Bruising and swelling will mostly resolve in 2-4 weeks; however, residual swelling may persist for a longer period
of time.
4. It may take 7-10 days to be able to stand up straight. This is normal.
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POST-SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS: ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY
OUR OFFICE SHOULD BE CONTACTED IMMEDIATELY IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
•
A high fever, (over 101º) severe nausea and vomiting, continued dizziness or incoherent behavior,
such as hallucinations.
•
Sudden onset of sharp pain
•
Consistent sharp pain or any pain that cannot be controlled by your pain medication.
•
Bright red skin that is hot to the touch in the surgical region.
•
Excessive bleeding or fluid seeping through the incisions.
We encourage you to call us with any questions or concerns you may have. You may call us during office hours
at (404) 841-8450. After 5:00 p.m., you may reach a surgeon at (404) 487-2546 for immediate, emergent
attention.
CALL 911 FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS:
•
Loss of consciousness.
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Shortness of breath or stops breathing altogether.
•
Acute chest pain.
•
Profuse, uncontrollable bleeding.
Remain calm. Speak clearly. Tell the emergency operator that you require emergency medical help. Respond
directly to the questions the operator asks you. Be prepared to tell the operator and medical responders the last time
the patient was given any medication and exactly how much. Be certain to tell the operator that this is a postsurgical patient.
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POST-SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS: ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY
YOUR RELEASE FROM THE HOSPITAL
You will only be released to the care of a responsible adult. All of these instructions must be clear to the adult who will
monitor your health and support you, around the clock in your first days home from the hospital.
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ü
Rest, but not bed rest: While rest is important in the early stages of healing, equally important is that you
are ambulatory: meaning that you are walking under your own strength. Spend 10 minutes every 2 hours
engaged in light walking indoors as you recover. Your caregiver should walk behind or beside you in the
event you become unstable or lightheaded.
ü
Recline with your head and chest slightly elevated above your lower body. This will be more
comfortable and can help reduce swelling. If you prefer to SLEEP flat, you may do so beginning 5 days after
surgery. Do not lie on your side or stomach at this time.
ü
Monitor post-surgical symptoms and be alert to possible complications. These are defined, along with
the actions you should take, on pages 1-2 of this document.
ü
Fluids are critical following surgery. Stick to non-carbonated, non-alcoholic, caffeine-free, and green teafree beverages including fruit juices and water, milk, and yogurt drinks. You must consume at least 8 ounces
of fluid every 2 hours.
ü
Good nutrition is important during recovery. Stick with soft, bland, nutritious diet for the first 24 hours.
Constipation and bloating are not uncommon after surgery. This can be improved by increasing fluid intake,
reducing salt intake and eating foods such as bananas and bran products. Having a stool softener, such as
Miralax, at home may also help alleviate constipation. Taking prescription pain medicine with food, such as a
few crackers or applesauce, will help to reduce any nausea you may experience with this medication.
ü
Take all medication, exactly as prescribed. Complete all antibiotics unless told otherwise by Dr. Ma. Use
the attached POST-SURGERY MEDICATION LOG on page 9 to record the time each medication is given for
each day. This will help you to remember when to take each medication.
ü
Keep incisions and dressings clean and dry. Dressings should be left in place 24-48 hours after surgery,
or until you are instructed to remove them. Your incisions will seep fluid and some blood for a short time
after surgery. You may shower, but DO NOT take a bath or soak incision or drain sites. Pat dressings and
incisions dry. The gauze pads should be removed, but not the tape directly covering the incisions (if
applicable). Fresh gauze pads should be placed over incisional areas after showering. If there is no tape
directly over your incisions, a cotton swab with peroxide is appropriate for cleansing incisions. After
cleansing, apply anti-bacterial ointment, and then apply a gauze pad.
ü
DO NOT get drain sites wet. You will be shown how to care for your drains and how to “strip” them
periodically. Written instructions for drain care are provided on page 7. Record drained fluid on the
Drain Log on page 8.
ü
Do not smoke. Smoking can greatly impair your safety prior to surgery and your ability to heal following
surgery, resulting in more noticeable scars. You must not smoke, and your caregiver must not smoke
anywhere near you.
POST-SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS: ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY
ü
Daily routine activity may be resumed within a few days after surgery. Avoid vigorous exercise or
activity, such as running and lifting weights because this will cause pressure and stress to the incision.
Check with Dr. Ma before resuming ANY exercise regimen. Typically, exercise routines may be resumed
eight weeks after surgery.
ü
You must wear the surgical/compression garmet around the clock, as directed. You may take it off to
shower and to launder it, but it should be consistently worn for 4 weeks following surgery; this will aid the
reduction of swelling.
ü
You may apply a cool, not cold, compress to affected sites to alleviate discomfort, swelling or
bruising. Wrap crushed ice or ice packs in a towel before applying to skin. DO NOT apply ice or anything
frozen directly to the skin. Cool compresses should be applied for no longer than 20-minute intervals. DO
NOT apply heat to affected areas as this will only worsen swelling.
ü
Relax. Do not engage in any stressful activities. Take care of no one, and let others tend to you.
ü
DO NOT drive until after your first post-operative office visit, or until you have been off of pain
medication for at least 48 hours.
ü
Your first post-operative visit will be approximately 7 days after surgery. At this time, your incisions will
be checked and Dr. Ma will assess whether your drains can be removed. Drains are removed when the
amount of fluid collected per drain is 30 mL or less in a 24-hour period. ***REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR
DRAIN LOG WITH YOU TO YOUR APPOINTMENT.***
Have your caregiver accompany you to your first postoperative visit scheduled for: _______________________
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POST-SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS: ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING YOUR FIRST POST-OPERATIVE VISIT
During this time you will progress with each day that passes. Ease into your daily activities. You will receive clearance
to begin driving or return to work at your post-operative visit, or within.
•
Continue to cleanse wounds as directed. Take a warm, not hot shower. DO NOT take a bath; You must
receive clearance from Dr. Ma before you are able to take a bath. Limit your shower to 10 minutes. Do not
remove any steri-strips. Do not rub your incisions. Apply a fragrance free moisturizer to abdominal skin,
however not on your incisions.
•
Take antibiotic medications and supplements as directed. You must take the antibiotics until all of your
drains have been removed. When all drains have been removed, you should discontinue the antibiotic
unless you have been given specific instructions to the contrary. Take pain medication and muscle relaxants
only as needed. You may wish to switch from prescriptive pain medication to acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
•
Maintain daily walking. Walking is essential every day to prevent the formation of blood clots.
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Maintain a healthy diet. Do not smoke. Do not consume alcohol.
TWO to FOUR WEEKS FOLLOWING SURGERY
As you resume your normal daily activities, you must continue proper care and healing.
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•
Continue wound care as directed. Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks; it typically takes
approximately six months to a year for the scars to fade and flatten. They never disappear completely. After
your surgical tape has been removed in the office, ask about Biocorneum, or other scar creams, that you
may then begin to use to help with the healing process.
•
Ease into light weight-bearing exercise (nothing more than 10 pounds for 8 weeks after surgery). No
aerobic or vigorous exercise or activity for 8 weeks following surgery.
•
Do not smoke. While incisions may have sealed, smoking deprives your body of necessary oxygen that can
result in poorly healed, wide, raised scars.
•
If you have drains, you may not lie on your side until all drains are removed. If you are a side-sleeper,
a soft pillow under your mid-back and shoulders may offer more comfort and support than a single pillow
under your head.
•
Practice good sun protection. Do not expose your abdominal incision to direct sunlight. If you are
outdoors, apply at least an SPF 30 to exposed skin at least 15 minutes prior to sun exposure and reapply
every 2 hours. Perform this protective regimen even on cloudy days. If possible, stay out of the sun between
the hours of 10am-3pm; this is when the sun’s rays are strongest.
POST-SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS: ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY
SIX WEEKS FOLLOWING SURGERY
•
You may ease into your regular fitness routine. However realize that your body may require some time to
return to prior strength. Lift nothing heavier than 10 pounds for a minimum of 8 weeks after surgery.
•
Discomfort or tightness and tingling will resolve. Any lingering skin sensitivity or lack of sensation should
begin to greatly improve.
•
No need to resume smoking. You have now gone 10 weeks (4 weeks prior to surgery and 6 weeks
following) without a cigarette. For your long-term health, there is no need to resume smoking.
YOUR FIRST YEAR
•
Continue healthy nutrition, fitness and sun protection.
•
Your scars will continue to refine. If they become raised, red or thickened, or appear to widen, contact our
office. Early intervention is important to achieving well-healed scars. After the incisions have completely
healed, you can start applying pressure massage to the incisions to improve the appearance of the scars.
Scars are generally refined to fine incision lines one year after surgery.
•
A one-year post surgery follow-up is required. However, you may call our office at any time with your
concerns or for needed follow-up.
Your body will change with age. You may wish to undergo revisional surgery again in the future to help maintain
your appearance throughout life. Contact our office with any of your questions or concerns, at any time.
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POST-SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS: ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY
DRAIN CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Drain care is required 3 times per day immediately following surgery, and at any time the drainage bulb is
more than 1/3 full. Follow the instructions provided below explicitly and record drainage as required on the
drain log provided on page 8.
***YOU MUST BRING YOUR DRAIN LOG WITH YOU TO EVERY FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT***
1. Wash your hands well with soap and water.
2. Open cap on the drain bulb. Pour out drainage into a clean measuring cup. Record the amount of drainage and
time of day, as indicated on the drain log. Dispose of drainage in the toilet and flush.
3. Squeeze bulbs tightly and replace cap. The compressed bulb is what provides the suction, so doing this is very
important.
Once you have measured your fluid drainage, you must “milk”, or strip, the drain tubing. This is done to prevent
small clots from blocking fluid outflow.
4. To do this, hold the tubing securely at the skin site with one hand. With the other hand, pinch the tubing between
your thumb and index finger and apply firm pressure as you strip the tubing towards the bulb. You may use an alcohol
swab to make it easier to strip the tubing.
5. If the tubing and bulb come apart, wipe the ends with alcohol and reconnect. Squeeze the bulb, again, and replace
the cap.
Reminders
• DO NOT get drain sites wet. The dressings over the drain site will be changed in the office during your
follow-up visits.
• DO NOT clean the inside of the bulbs or place ANYTHING inside of the bulbs. Doing so will greatly increase
your risk of infection.
Additional Instructions
• Always secure the drain to your clothing so that there is no tension on the drain at the incision site.
• Do not cut the drains.
• Keep tubes connected to the bulbs.
• Ensure that the bulb is always compressed (deflated or flat) so that it will hold suction and drain properly.
Call the office immediately at (404) 841-8450 if any of the following should occur:
• You develop a fever of 100.5 or higher.
• A large amount of leakage around the drain site dressing.
• A marked increase in drainage output (double your usual output).
• Increased heat, redness or tenderness around the drain insertion site.
• The drainage develops a foul odor.
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POST-SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS: ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY
DRAIN LOG:
DATE
__/__/____
Patient Name: ___________________ Week of: _______________________
DRAINAGE RECORDER
DRAINAGE RECORDER
TIME
DRAIN 1 DRAIN 2 DRAIN 3 DRAIN 4 DRAIN 5 DRAIN 6
MORNING
AFTERNOON
EVENING
DAILY TOTAL
__/__/____
MORNING
AFTERNOON
EVENING
DAILY TOTAL
__/__/____
MORNING
AFTERNOON
EVENING
DAILY TOTAL
__/__/____
MORNING
AFTERNOON
EVENING
DAILY TOTAL
__/__/____
MORNING
AFTERNOON
EVENING
DAILY TOTAL
__/__/____
MORNING
AFTERNOON
EVENING
DAILY TOTAL
__/__/____
MORNING
AFTERNOON
EVENING
DAILY TOTAL
***YOU MUST BRING YOUR DRAIN LOG WITH YOU TO EVERY FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT***
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POST-SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS: ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY
MEDICATION LOG
Patient Name: __________________________________ Week of: ________________
Administer all medication, EXACTLY as prescribed. Use this document to record the time each medication is given
each day.
Antibiotic: ______________________________ __________mg ______x per day
Time/Day
Pain medication: _______________________________ __________mg ______x per day
Time/Day
Muscle relaxant: _____________________________ __________mg ______x per day
Time/Day
Other: _____________________________ __________mg ______x per day
Time/Day
Other: _____________________________ __________mg ______x per day
Time/Day
Other: _____________________________ __________mg ______x per day
Time/Day
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